PoE is different. I feel it's a bit like comparing Bioshock and Call of Duty. How I see it, you should compare PoE to D3, not Grim Dawn. They are in fact a different genre - competitive multiplayer arpg. Which led them both to evolve into a grindfest.

I'm fine with a grindfest TBH. I kinda wish we could have super rare "trophy" items in GD too. It really makes it cool when you notice an unusual drop. I miss "mythical" (red) items from underlord mod for Titan Quest

for those unfamiliar with the mod: those were strictly brag/endgame items and you had to assemble them from three other items including a MI with a specific affix, making it painfully hard to do! but they were powerful beyond imagination and looked amazing.